Future Proof will equip Emory students for an AI-powered workplace

Career planning is already a stressful endeavor for most college students, but uncertainty about the impact of artificial intelligence can make job hunting feel overwhelming. 

While AI represents new opportunities and career paths, exactly how things may change can still be a mystery. Questions abound, like:

• What is changing? As AI changes the workplace, which responsibilities will disappear, evolve or emerge? 
• What will matter? Which distinctly human capabilities will differentiate successful professionals? 
• What should students do now? What opportunities should students pursue in order to prepare?

To address these questions and build students’ confidence, the Emory College Pathways Center is introducing a new fireside chat series called Future Proof, which is designed to help students understand how AI and other forces are reshaping the world of work — and how they can prepare to thrive in it. 

Kicking off the series is a session on AI and the entertainment industry titled, “Future Proof: AI, Creativity and the Business of Entertainment” on Monday, Nov. 16.

The series features Emory alumni working in a variety of industries including healthcare; law; arts, media and communication; nonprofit; government and public policy; sustainability; and more. The guest speakers will give an insider view of how AI impacts their field of work, offering tips, advice and candid answers to students’ questions.

To provide additional perspectives, guest speakers will be paired with an Emory faculty member teaching and researching in a similar field. These faculty will connect disciplinary learning with emerging workplace challenges.

Each session will end with three concrete takeaways:

• Know: Something students learn about how the field is changing.
• Build: A skill or capabilities students should purposely develop.
• Do: An experience, experiment, relationship or action students should pursue prior to graduation.

Moderated by Branden Grimmett, vice provost for career and professional development and associate dean in Emory College of Arts and Sciences, the chats will be intimate, informative and open, with students as active participants in the conversation.

“Future Proof emphasizes the idea that career readiness is not just about knowing the latest technology,” says Grimmett. “It is about developing those skills that are uniquely human: exercising judgement, evaluating evidence, navigating ambiguity and building relationships. These capabilities provide a natural connection between an Emory education and the changing expectations of employers.”